News – IAMAWhttps://www.goiam.org
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace WorkersWed, 21 Feb 2018 17:59:18 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.2https://www.goiam.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cropped-IAM-Logo-Color-300-32x32.pngNews – IAMAWhttps://www.goiam.org
3232Sending Solidarity to Minnesota Machinists at Electroluxhttps://www.goiam.org/news/sending-solidarity-minnesota-machinists-electrolux/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:25:15 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75164IAM International Bob Martinez traveled to Minnesota this weekend to deliver a message of solidarity to more than 900 IAM Local 623 members in St. Cloud. Electrolux, a Sweden-based freezer and refrigerator manufacturer, recently announced plans to close its St. Cloud manufacturing plant by the end of 2019. “Electrolux has been operating in St. Cloud

]]>IAM International Bob Martinez traveled to Minnesota this weekend to deliver a message of solidarity to more than 900 IAM Local 623 members in St. Cloud.

Electrolux, a Sweden-based freezer and refrigerator manufacturer, recently announced plans to close its St. Cloud manufacturing plant by the end of 2019.

“Electrolux has been operating in St. Cloud for 30 years and these workers deserve dignity and respect from Electrolux and we are demanding that the company rescind its decision to close,” Martinez told delegates to the Minnesota State Council of Machinists. “The IAM is taking a stand against these companies who are turning their backs on U.S. workers.”

We should all be outraged at @Electrolux, a profitable company that wants to leave Minnesota and lay off 900+ hard-working people. Today I'm there to let @IAMLOCAL623 members know that their union is doing everything we can for them. pic.twitter.com/eWJ9159gig

]]>IAM Members Endorse Incumbent Grand Lodge Officershttps://www.goiam.org/news/iam-members-endorse-incumbent-grand-lodge-officers/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:24:36 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75169Machinists Union members have completed the endorsement process for the election of Grand Lodge Officers. The results from the DOL-supervised election are that over 770 IAM Local Lodges endorsed the incumbent slate and 20 or 21 IAM Local Lodges endorsed opponent slate candidates. More than 97 percent of Lodges nominated the incumbent slate. IAM Local

]]>Machinists Union members have completed the endorsement process for the election of Grand Lodge Officers. The results from the DOL-supervised election are that over 770 IAM Local Lodges endorsed the incumbent slate and 20 or 21 IAM Local Lodges endorsed opponent slate candidates. More than 97 percent of Lodges nominated the incumbent slate.

IAM Local Lodges endorsed each of the following candidates: Robert Martinez Jr. as International President; Dora Cervantes as General Secretary-Treasurer; and Philip J. Gruber, Gary R. Allen, Sito Pantoja, Mark A. Blondin, James Conigliaro, Rickey Wallace and Brian Bryant as U.S. General Vice Presidents.

“The membership has spoken clearly for a second time,” said International President Bob Martinez. “This union overwhelmingly and decisively endorsed our incumbent slate and the new direction we have charted for Machinists Union families. I look forward to continuing our momentum toward growing and strengthening our union.”

Final results are contingent on a DOL review of any filed election protests. Detailed results will be published when final.

]]>Missouri Lawmakers Urge Harley-Davidson to Reconsider Closing Kansas City Planthttps://www.goiam.org/news/missouri-lawmakers-urge-harley-davidson-reconsider-closing-kansas-city-plant/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:22:50 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75167Missouri U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, and Congressmen Sam Graves and Emanuel Cleaver II joined together to urge Harley-Davidson to reconsider plans to close its assembly plant in Kansas City. “When Kansas City beat out 30 other cities across the country as the company was looking to build a new facility in 1996,

]]>Missouri U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, and Congressmen Sam Graves and Emanuel Cleaver II joined together to urge Harley-Davidson to reconsider plans to close its assembly plant in Kansas City.

“When Kansas City beat out 30 other cities across the country as the company was looking to build a new facility in 1996, it came with a considerable incentive package from the city, Platte County, and state of Missouri,” wrote the delegation to Harley-Davidson CEO Matthew Levatich. “We understand that the domestic and global sales environments are key drivers in business decisions like this. But we also believe Harley-Davidson’s Kansas City Assembly Plant and its workers produce a top-quality product that can compete with any other facility in the United States or around the world. We urge you to reconsider the decision to close the plant.”

Meanwhile, more than 800 members of IAM Local 176 and USW Local 760 have approved an agreement with the company, outlining new language, pay and severance benefits until the 2019 scheduled plant closing.

The new agreement includes changes in language issues for the betterment of the hourly workforce. Workers will receive a 3-percent wage increase, plus a 0-3 percent local plant incentive if all financial and non-financial performance targets are met. All full-time employees will receive a ratification signing bonus, plus a severance package based on their years of service. Employees will receive six months of continued medical benefits from their last date of employment, at no cost to the employee. And, workers have the option of transferring to the York facility.

“Although an agreement has been approved, we will continue to fight for our membership and urge Harley-Davidson to reconsider its decision,” said International President Bob Martinez. “I am deploying all resources necessary to help our members.”

]]>IAM/Lockheed Martin Negotiations Updatehttps://www.goiam.org/news/iam-lockheed-martin-negotiations-update/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:22:16 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75156According to an article published in the Washington Post this week, Lockheed Martin’s largest customer is the U.S. Government. “Of Lockheed Martin’s $51 billion in sales last year, nearly 70 percent, or $35.2 billion, came from sales to the U.S. government. It’s a colossal figure, hard to comprehend. So think of it this way: Lockheed’s government

“Our negotiating committee will remain steadfast and resolved at the negotiating table to ensure our members and their families reap the reward for their labor that continues to make Lockheed Martin profitable. We demand nothing less than a fair contract for their effort,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary Allen.

“Lockheed Martin needs to know that we are here to represent the Machinists. The company needs to share its profits with those who helped to achieve them. We should not give up what we have worked for over decades of collective bargaining,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Mark A. Blondin. “We want to make sure no one gets left behind. In addition to good wages and strong benefits, things like seniority and job security mean something to union families.”

Let’s not take away the pride our members have on Lockheed shop floors across the U.S.A. by offering them substandard wages when compared to the success the company is currently experiencing. The IAM is honored to provide the U.S. Government all that it needs to protect this great country and is hopeful that the company will provide the workers the wages they need to maintain these awesome jobs.

]]>Join Us at the Working People’s Day of Actionhttps://www.goiam.org/news/join-us-working-peoples-day-action/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 20:24:59 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75153The Supreme Court will soon hear a case that will have a big impact on our voice at work. That’s why working people across the country are making a clear stand to keep the freedoms that we’ve fought for. On Saturday, Feb. 24, there will be a day of action, with local events happening coast

]]>The Supreme Court will soon hear a case that will have a big impact on our voice at work. That’s why working people across the country are making a clear stand to keep the freedoms that we’ve fought for.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, there will be a day of action, with local events happening coast to coast, to defend our voice on the job and demand an end to an economy designed to favor the rich and powerful on the backs of working families.

Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, as they fought for the freedom to join together in a strong union and be treated with dignity and respect at work. They carried signs that boldly proclaimed: “I Am a Man.”

Fifty years later, corporate lobbyists and special interest groups are bringing a case against working people, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, to the Supreme Court. These are the same extremist voices that actively work to limit voting rights, roll back economic protections, and gut civil and labor rights laws. They’re ratcheting up their fight to break us up because they know we are strongest together.

When working people speak with a unified voice, we are able to affect the issues and win. That makes it much harder for wealthy elites to tip the economic scales further out of balance.

Bring your family. Tell your neighbors. Invite your friends. Now is the time for working people to band together, hold the line on our freedom to join together to make improvements at work and demand an economy that works for everyone.

]]>Register Now! Basic Communicator Class Deadline is March 9https://www.goiam.org/news/register-now-basic-communicator-class-deadline-march-9/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 20:21:59 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75149Registration is now open for the May 6-11 Basic Communicator Class held by the IAM’s Communication Department. The last Communicator Class filled up quickly, so get registered now in order to secure your spot! This a basic course geared toward lodge Communicators to upgrade their skills and take lodge communications to the next level. Instruction

]]>Registration is now open for the May 6-11 Basic Communicator Class held by the IAM’s Communication Department. The last Communicator Class filled up quickly, so get registered now in order to secure your spot!

This a basic course geared toward lodge Communicators to upgrade their skills and take lodge communications to the next level. Instruction will be provided in messaging, news writing, internet research, desktop publishing, photography, video and social media practices.

Because the course is designed for the entry-level Communicator, priority will be given to participants who have not attended previous Communications Department courses at the Winpisinger Center.

The deadline to register for the Basic Communicator Class is March 9, 2018.

]]>Your Union Membership Gets You a College Education Without the Costhttps://www.goiam.org/news/free-college/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:00:35 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=74283You read that right. Your union is now offering a Free College Benefit to members and their families. The IAM is excited to announce the new free college benefit available to Machinists Union members and their families: a free associate’s degree from Eastern Gateway Community College. Online Classes Start October 16 – Get Registered Now Having

]]>You read that right. Your union is now offering a Free College Benefit to members and their families. The IAM is excited to announce the new free college benefit available to Machinists Union members and their families: a free associate’s degree from Eastern Gateway Community College.

Having a college degree is more important than ever, but tuition costs just keep getting higher and higher. The IAM wants to help our Fighting Machinist families succeed without piling on thousands of dollars in student debt. That’s what makes this benefit of a free college education invaluable to IAM members and their families.

Eastern Gateway Community College is a fully accredited college with degree programs in business management, accounting, criminal justice, associate of arts, and many more. Credits are transferable towards a four-year degree program.

A college degree can be your pathway to new opportunities, greater responsibility, a better job and higher wages. Focused on working adults, this program is also designed to be flexible. Classes are online so they fit into your schedule.

This is a unique opportunity — available only to union members, their families and retirees. You can find out more about the program here.

You work hard, and the IAM wants to help. The free college benefit is one more way the IAM helps its members secure the opportunities and the respect they deserve.

]]>Kansas City Members at Harley Standing Up to Companyhttps://www.goiam.org/news/kansas-city-members-harley-standing-company/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:54:10 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75106IAM Local 176 members in Kansas City, Mo. are asking questions of how their employer, Harley-Davidson, decided to shutter its facility there by early 2019. The closure affects 572 Machinists Union members at Harley and Syncreon. Members recently sat down with the Kansas City Business Journal to talk about how to deal with Harley-Davidson plans

]]>IAM Local 176 members in Kansas City, Mo. are asking questions of how their employer, Harley-Davidson, decided to shutter its facility there by early 2019. The closure affects 572 Machinists Union members at Harley and Syncreon.

Members recently sat down with the Kansas City Business Journal to talk about how to deal with Harley-Davidson plans to shut down its Kansas City plant and express their disappointment with how Harley-Davidson handled the closure announcement.

The union is currently in talks with the company to negotiate details about how the shutdown will be handled.

“We know there will be layoffs in phases, but it tears a family up not knowing how that will happen,” said Capra. “We’re demanding those answers now so we can let our people know and they can plan their lives.”

IAM International President Bob Martinez sent a letter to Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens urging him to organize meetings with other elected officials, local labor leaders, business interests, community groups and Harley-Davidson to discuss the many issues surrounding this closure announcement.

“Since 1993, hard-working Machinists Union members have devoted their lives to making high quality motorcycles for this company,” said Martinez. “Their loyalty, skills, and dedication to excellence have helped make Harley-Davidson the successful, trusted brand that it is today. It is a disgrace that Harley-Davidson could not show these workers the same loyalty they have shown the company over the years.”

Martinez and the IAM are employing every resource necessary to assist the Kansas City membership.

]]>IAM Florida Sugar Workers Visit Capitol Hillhttps://www.goiam.org/news/iam-florida-sugar-workers-visit-capitol-hill/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:53:23 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75109IAM Florida Sugar Workers made a visit to Capitol Hill this week to highlight the importance of sugarcane farming to the nation’s economy. IAM Florida Sugar Workers jobs include every part of the sugarcane farming, milling and refining processes on American soil, including many positions requiring skilled trades, such as machinists and welders. “Meeting the

]]>IAM Florida Sugar Workers made a visit to Capitol Hill this week to highlight the importance of sugarcane farming to the nation’s economy.

IAM Florida Sugar Workers jobs include every part of the sugarcane farming, milling and refining processes on American soil, including many positions requiring skilled trades, such as machinists and welders.

“Meeting the different representatives and being able to talk to them and understand their point of view and explaining why you’re fighting for something is important,” said William Bland.

There are nearly 122,000 workers throughout the U.S. and the majority of them are in a labor union. Sugarcane farming supports 12,500 jobs in Florida.

“We did a lot of walking, but for a good cause,” said Eddie Garcia. “Putting a face to an issue is important.”

IAM Florida Sugar Workers will continue to advocate for agricultural policies and the use of precision agriculture to continue growing the Florida sugar industry, which accounts for more than a quarter of all U.S.-produced sugar.

“Walking the extra mile to protect our jobs is what we’re doing,” said Mark Thompson. “We learned how uninformed these members of Congress are about our issue. You should never be afraid to speak about something that’s important to you.”

]]>Black Labor History on this Week’s Activate L!VEhttps://www.goiam.org/news/black-labor-history-weeks-activate-lve/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:52:46 +0000https://www.goiam.org/?p=75089Charlie Micallef, retired Director of the IAM Retirees, Community Service and EAP Departments, joined this week’s program to talk about past struggles to bring black workers into the established union movement. As the Machinists’ unofficial historian, Micallef explained how hard it was for African Americans to break the color barrier in unions, including within the

]]>Charlie Micallef, retired Director of the IAM Retirees, Community Service and EAP Departments, joined this week’s program to talk about past struggles to bring black workers into the established union movement.

As the Machinists’ unofficial historian, Micallef explained how hard it was for African Americans to break the color barrier in unions, including within the IAM.